The Best Football Cleats (2019 Reviews)

Shoes with cleats are used in many sports to provide added traction in wet, grassy, or muddy surfaces. Football cleats are an important part of any football player’s equipment stash. If you play often, it’s worth investing in your own pair. (Be sure to check out our list of the best football helmets to complete your gear.)

We reviewed dozens of football cleats to identify the best of the best. We looked at high tops, low tops, and everything in between. We even evaluated football cleats with mesh tongues for ultimate breathability and support cages for extra protection.

Top Pick

Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats

See the Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats, for a popular high cut style

Our Top Pick: Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats

When it comes to support and style, it’s easy to see why the Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats are an excellent choice. It is available in a wide range of sizes, from size 8 to size 16. It also has 11 different color and style combinations, including royal blue, red, black, and white.

There are many key technologies Under Armor used in these football cleats that make these cleats a good choice. The US ClutchFit upper gives you additional support and protection. Its 3D Molded MPZ tongue forms around your foot and protects it. The shoe’s comfortable footbed fits around your foot to prevent slipping.

Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats Key Features:

High cut style

Synthetic sole eliminates slippage and increases comfort

Extended eye-row cutouts that make it easy to put shoes on

11 style and color options

Our Runner Up: Boy’s Nike Alpha Shark 2 3/4 Wide Football Cleat

Runner Up

Nike Men’s Alpha Menace Shark Football Cleat

For a nice looking boy’s football cleat, consider the Nike Mens Alpha Shark Football Cleats

$45.08 USD

If you need a football cleat available in youth sizes, the Nike Men’s Alpha Menace Shark Football Cleat is your best bet. Its available in children’s sizes as well as adult shoe sizes. It comes in 18 different color combinations, including dark grey or royal blue. It has a Phylon foam cushioning for added foot support.

This style has a rubber outsole that’s extremely lightweight, with cleats that can help provide excellent traction during games or proactive. This includes forefoot cleats that improve traction during toe off. It has a bit of a high collar for added ankle support.

Boy’s Nike Alpha Shark 2 3/4 Wide Football Cleat Key Features:

Lightweight rubber outsole

Cleats with forefoot cleats

Phylon foam cushioning for support

Made from synthetic and leather materials

Best Budget Pick: NIKE Men’s Vapor Shark 2 Football Cleat

Budget pick

NIKE Men’s Vapor Shark 2 Football Cleat

See the NIKE Men’s Vapor Shark 2 Football Cleat, an inexpensive football cleat anyone can afford

$49.99 USD

At less than $17, it’s nearly impossible to find another football cleat in the price range of the NIKE Men’s Vapor Shark 2 Football Cleat. While the price will depend on the color and size option you choose, it’s an inexpensive shoe in bold bright colors like royal blue and red that you’d expect from NIKE. Made from synthetic materials, these football cleats are very lightweight.

The Men’s Vapor Shark 2 has Nike Fast Flex technology that makes it easier to move around in. There is Phylon in the midsole that gives it more cushioning. While they don’t have the longest cleats, this makes for a good everyday pair to get started with.

Despite the limited size and color options, this is an ideal choice if you happen to need a size 14 wide. It’s durable, nice looking, and high quality. It comes with the tool to tighten and replace the studs.

Best Youth Football Cleats: Zephz WideTraxx Football Cleat Youth

Youth pick

Zephz WideTraxx Football Cleat Youth

Meet the Zephz WideTraxx Football Cleat Youth, a popular youth football cleat

$48.95 USD

The Zephz WideTraxx Football Cleat Youth is a popular choice for youth football cleats. It is available in six youth sizes, from size 1 to 6, in an EE width. Its mid-cut length makes it an appropriate choice for most playing positions. Its rubber cleats can be accommodating for other sports if needed.

Its made from durable rubber, TPU, and synthetic materials. This style is only available in black. Many parents have found that this style works well for kids with wide feet.

Zephz WideTraxx Football Cleat Youth Key Features:

Available in youth sizes 1 to 6

Black color

Lightweight TPU material

Durable rubber cleats

Who Should Buy Football Cleats

If you play football, or plan to, you’ll need to buy a pair of football cleats. Some schools may provide high school players with a pair of football cleats or require that they bring their own. If this is the case, you’ll need to confirm that you don’t need to buy a certain brand or color to conform to the team’s standards.

Parents and coaches also buy football cleats for those who play football. In this case, you’ll want to find a style with many available sizes that perform well. This way, everyone who needs a pair can get their size.

Top Pick

Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats

See the Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats, for a popular high cut style

$50.00 USD

Important Features to Consider

Football cleats should have several important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a pair of football cleats:

Cut. High cut, mid cut, or low cut refers to the height of the shoe. Most football cleats are available in mid to low varieties. However, there are high cut versions available for offensive and defensive line players.

Molded spikes. Molded spikes are permanently attached to the football cleats and cannot be removed to walk on regular, paved paths. However, since they are permanently attached, they won’t fall off.

Detachable spikes. Detachable spikes can be removed from the football cleat to be customized or to be replaced.

Size. Football cleats are shoes, so you’ll need to order your shoe size to get the best fit.

Width. Most football cleats come in a medium width, so if your shoe size is larger than this you’ll need to look for styles that offer wide widths.

Construction. In general, football cleats have thicker soles and heavier construction than other cleats.

Color. Some styles come only in basic white and black, while others have bold colors and patterns.

Toe stud. One of the primary differences between cleats used for other sports and football cleats is the inclusion of a toe stud.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are football cleats and how do they work?

Football cleats are protrusions that are permanently or temporarily mounted on the bottom of a shoe to provide traction on slippery, wet, or soft surfaces such as a football field. The studs or cleats dig into the ground and make it easier to maneuver on the field.

Are football and soccer cleats the same?

Although both football and soccer cleats have spikes on the bottom of the shoe, cleats are designed specifically based on the sport. You should purchase cleats for the sport you plan to play. Football cleats have longer protrusions than soccer cleats, with a thicker construction that protects feet when they get stepped on. They’re also available in three heights. Soccer cleats are low cut, with a lighter construction than football cleats. They also have shorter studs.

What are detachable football cleats?

Detachable football cleats can be changed out depending on the surface you’re playing on. Detachable spikes are longer and more durable than other styles. You can change out or remove each spike to customize your cleats based on the position you’re playing and the field surface. Detachable football cleats are generally more expensive than other styles.

How are football cleats supposed to fit?

Football cleats should fit snugly around the forefoot and heel with approximately a finger width or less of give, without causing any pain from standing or walking on the studs. The football cleats shouldn’t restrict your movement, but provide additional support.

Other Football Cleats We Reviewed

Top Pick

Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats

See the Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid Rm Football Cleats, for a popular high cut style

$50.00 USD

We looked at 20 other football cleats. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best football cleats list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your dog. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.

Detachable Football Cleats

If you need a shoe that you can wear to the game without having cleats on all the time, you can try the Adidas Men’s Corner Blitz Detachable Cleat Football Shoe. The cleat outsole is detachable so that you can remove the cleats when you don’t need them. That way, you can protect them from hard surfaces, and you won’t need a second pair of shoes or the game.

Nike Super Speed D 3/4 Men’s Detachable Football Cleats give you a better option if you are looking for speed and fit over bulk and stability. These shoes are designed to be lightweight and support your foot in a way that gives you better control. With seven well-placed detachable cleats, these shoes improve traction while staying lightweight and flexible. The insert is also anatomically designed so that it aligns with your foot for the most comfort and performance.

Nike Vapor Pro Low D Men’s Detachable Football Cleats are another good option for lightweight and agile cleats. With seven cleats balanced from side to side, these shoes give you 360-degrees of traction even in very loose footings. Replaceable cleats make it easy for you to change them out when they are worn, extending the life of your shoes. You can also keep your cleats in good working condition by replacing them when they begin to wear.

The NIKE Vapor Speed Low Detachable Football Cleats provide a low-top option for traction control. The lower profile leaves your ankles exposed for greater flexibility. You can get these shoes in sizes up to 14 (US) and they have the common black and white design. The addition of grey highlights gives them a deeper and unique look. The NIKE Vapor Speed Low Detachable Football Cleats are made out of synthetic materials designed to be lightweight, but durable. For added control, they have an additional eighth mini spike on the heel.

Key Features:

Low-top

Narrow design

Seven cleat system

Heel spike included

Cost: $40

Low Football Cleats

Adidas Men’s Scorch X SuperFly Low Football Cleats amplify the amount of traction and control that you have with a different cleat setup. It has full-sized cleats on the heel and inner edge of the sole with a set of mini-cleats on the outer edge. That way, you have a total of 18 cleats strategically placed to give you the most control over your feet. They are made out of synthetic leather and have a rubber sole.

adidas Performance Men’s Filthyspeed Low D Football Cleats look radically different from most other shoe designs. They use the common black and white colors but have an angular camouflage design that makes them look unique. They have seven cleats attached to a thermoplastic plate. These cleats penetrate soft surfaces easily to increase traction. The low-top design also makes them better for fast, agile running with many turns.

The Nike Alpha Pro Low TD is one of the more customizable options available, as it has nine different highly-visible color options available. These shoes have 12-cleats of varying sizes to better match your stride. The front cleats are tapered in length and thickness to match the curve of your foot. That way, the cleats maintain maximum traction throughout each step. A Dynamic Flywire system is built into the upper to adjust the fit of the shoes as you run. It tightens when you need it to and loosens to fight foot fatigue.

Key Features:

Nine color options available

Multiple cleat sizes

12 cleats

Adaptive traction system

Cost: $28

Men’s Football Cleats

A good pair of cleats can make a big difference in your performance. The Adidas Men’s Scorch X Mid D Football Cleat offers extra stability and protection. Its cleat plate has a more rigid design so that the cleats get a firmer grasp as you step. A thickly padded synthetic leather upper adds extra support and protection for your feet. The toes have extra padding as well to ensure that your feet are safe and supported at all times.

These Adidas Performance Men’s Filthyquick D Football Cleats are designed for added protection and durability. The cleats are attached to a rubber plate, which allows for flexibility while providing a sturdy base. The upper is made out of synthetic materials and has a tight fit with extra padding. That way, it offers more support and protection across your arch and toes. It also has a heel strap designed to provide additional support to protect your Achilles Tendon.

For a better fit and more stability, try the Mens Nike Alpha Pro 3/4 TD Football Cleat. The upper includes Nike’s Dynamic Flywire system, which adjusts the overall size of the upper as you move. It gets a bit tighter when you need it to for the best traction and control, and loosens so that your foot can relax. They also have 12 3/4-sized cleats that provide strong traction across your entire stride.

The Nike Men’s Alpha Pro 2 Football Cleat has a wide range of sizes and colors to choose from. The upper is designed using NIKESKIN, which gives it a breathable but padded and durable feel. They run a bit tighter than other options to give you a snug and secure fit. The cleats are attached using a molded rubber pad for flexibility. However, these shoes use screw-in cleats so that you can easily remove and clean them when you need to. The upper also has an asymmetrical collar for better ankle support.

The NIKE Vapor Carbon Elite TD Men’s Football Cleats are designed to be extremely lightweight with the stability and control of bulkier shoes. They use lightweight synthetics in the upper and sole to reduce the overall weight. With a nine-cleat system, they offer good traction control when turning and sprinting. The low profile design also helps your ankles stay flexible at high speeds.

NIKE’s Vapor Untouchable Pro Men’s Mesh Plastic Lightweight Football Cleats Shoes are designed to help you accelerate faster. They are made out of lightweight materials and use lightweight components to reduce foot fatigue and provide support. The use of mesh components also makes them more breathable than other options as well. The cleats are firmly attached using a carbon fiber plate. Carbon fiber is extremely durable while being very light.

The Under Armour Men’s Crusher Molded Football Cleats provide extra support using a Powerstrap near the ankle. This helps keep them firmly in place while providing bending support for your ankle. The result is added stability and limited foot fatigue. The upper is made breathable and lighter using perforated synthetic materials. The outsole is made of molded rubber for the best traction on different surfaces.

If you want something with a radically different look and feel, try the Under Armour Men’s Crusher Molded Football Cleats. It comes in a variety of color options including popular superhero options like Spiderman and Batman. These shoes have an elongated high-top design that provides support for your ankle and lower calf. They are made more comfortable through the use of 3D and 4D molding methods for the footbed and the tongue.

Key Features:

Superhero themes

High-top design

3D and 4D molded components

UA PlasmaX cleat plate

Cost: $135

Youth Football Cleats

The NIKE Boy’s Alpha Menace Shark BG Football Cleat Wide makes a good option for younger plays. These shoes come in a wide fit version to add comfort and side to side stability. The unique shark teeth design with a metallic finish also makes these shoes a stylish option.

NIKE Boy’s Alpha Menace Shark BG Football Cleat Wide shoes offer a more supportive design. They are high-tops, which provide more ankle support. However, these shoes also have a support strap around the ankle for added ankle support. The midsole is made out of Phylon, which is supportive but keeps its low weight. To keep your mobility high, the NIKE Boy’s Alpha Menace Shark BG Football Cleat Wide also use the NIKE’s Fast Flex technology. It allows the sole to bend and reshape quickly without losing its support or elasticity.

The NIKE Boy’s Strike Shark (GS) Football Cleat provides a combination of support and traction control that help you accelerate quickly. The cleats use squared and angled tips for better penetration and traction on a variety of surfaces. They also have a wider toe cleat that gives you added grip when trying to accelerate. For additional support, the ankle collar has an adjustable support strap as well as extra padding. They also have a Phylon midsole for flexible support.

These Nike Boys Alpha Shark Football Cleats use wide, squared cleats that offer more traction control in different directions. They have 12-cleats that are spread in a way that gives them balanced control. There is also a toe cleat that They also include the Dynamic Fit system that lets the fit adjust as you move.

The Under Armour Youth Hammer Mid Molded Football Cleats provide robust support with a unique look to them. They use a die-cut EVA footbed, which fits your feet better and is more durable. The use of molded rubber feet gives you added traction on all surface times. The cleats thick and use a flat edge to create a solid contact seal with the ground. That way, you get enhanced traction from any angle or direction for better performance.

Key Features:

Die-cut footbed

Molded rubber cleats

Traction on all surfaces

Bright finish

Cost: $37

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Melanie is a writer for Sports Life Today. She's passionate about little league, product safety, and trying out new products. She has been writing professionally since 2009. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from National University and a Bachelor of Arts in Writing from the University of Tampa. She lives in Tampa, Florida with her three dogs, husband, and son.

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